What is Palynology?
Palynology is the study of organic-walled microfossils (palynomorphs), which includes microscopic reproductive bodies (pollen and spores) of terrestrial plants, and the resting cysts of mostly marine “algae” (dinoflagellates). Microfossils are captured in sediment during its deposition and are recovered by dissolving the minerals and concentrating the palynomorphs.
Palynology is the study of plant pollen, spores and certain microscopic plankton organisms (collectively termed palynomorphs) in both living and fossil form. Botanists use living pollen and spores (actuopalynology) in the study of plant relationships and evolution, while geologists (palynologists) may use fossil pollen and spores (paleopalynology) to study past environments, stratigraphy (the analysis of strata or layered rock) historical geology and paleontology.
Palynology is the science of palynomorphs, organic particles between 5 and 500 micrometers in size. Sometimes, but not always, it includes the study of silicaceous or calcareous palynomorphs like diatoms or foraminiferans. The word is derived from Greek and means “strewn or sprinkled forms.” Typical palynomorphs are pollen grains, dinoflagellate cysts, spores, ostrocods, phytoliths, acritarchs, chitinozoans and scolecodonts. Other materials studied include particulate organic matter (POM) and kerogen, always found in sedimentary rocks. The palynomorphs may be either contemporary or fossilized and millions or even billions of years old. Palynology covers the study of many important microfossils. Because of their abundance, some palynomorphs give important clues to dating strata (biostratigraphy) or inferring climactic information about a long-past geologic period. Palynology is considered a branch of earth science and biology, with a focus on micropaleontology and paleobotany. Three use
There are many debates and discussions as to what exactly palynology is and what it includes. The overall agreement is that it is a branch of study of micropaleontology, botany and paleobotany. Palynology was first used by Hyde and Williams in 1944, they defined it as “the study of pollen and other spores and their dispersal, and applications thereof.” (Tschudy and Scott, 1969). They created the term to simplify the study of pollen analysis. The definition has since been revamped to include other microscopic fossils – defined as palynomorphs by Richard A. Scott. (Kremp, 1968). Alfred Traverse offers a simpler, broader definition of palynology, the “study of organic microfossils”. The organic microfossils can be redefined as palynomorphs; perhaps the confusion of the field lies in what constitutes a palynomorph and what doesn’t. Firstly, a palynomorph must be within the size range of 5- 500 micrometres, no smaller (there are a few exceptions for larger samples). Anything made up of calc
